ABOUT THE ARTIST

Have you ever been so far removed from yourself that you didn’t know your heart’s desire?

In 1989, I had a miscarriage. As I was going through my grief, my husband suggested that I quit my two
jobs and do what I love. I responded: “Yeah? What’s that?” “Art”, he said.

I had been interested in art since childhood. In my mind, each number and letter had its own color.
I had tried to make my own colors with items in my childhood home. Catsup for red, orange juice for yellow, Comet for green. Only I couldn’t make blue.

Then came school, and in time, I had to think about a career. While there are many ways to use art in a
career, I was encouraged to go into a line of work where I could make a living. Social work was the non
art path I chose, taking art classes at night. Photography, pottery, painting, stained glass classes were
some of those. After trying lots of different types of art, I landed in painting and continued to take classes. I also taught exercise at a local gym as a part time job for 37 years.

Later, I taught art to children and adults, individually and in groups. My favorite memories involved
being present and watching someone else’s “ah ha” moment. That moment when they “get it”, it clicks.

I was drawn to paint what I loved. Old mills, flowers, which grew into landscapes and trees. Bodies of water. Where I am most happy and peaceful. I grew up in a house surrounded by woods and a stream. My siblings and I spent most of our free time with each other in the woods and by the stream. I love to be in and around water, whether bathing, swimming, kayaking, or sitting by a fountain.

There are four subjects I enjoy painting, while using lots of color:
1) Nature – I wish to show the viewer what I see and how I feel about what I see: woods, streams, rocks, flowers, landscapes.
2) The Whimsical is another favorite topic. I enjoy playing with words. For example, using six blocks with six scenes when moved and playing on the work cat. I would paint a cat being catapulted and a second cat to catch the first one.
3) People and pets: including weddings and children playing. I prefer to show humans and animals engaged in an activity rather than posed and looking forward.
4) Abstracts.

I am lucky to have had wonderful teachers who all said the same thing of the art basics, but in different
ways. These different voices were important in my understanding and learning, and “getting it”.

It is my hope to share my love of nature and feelings of peace with viewers and collectors. In my work, I like to use underpainting glazes of vibrant reds, oranges and pinks to give the images a bright glow and feeling of sunlight permeating everything.

I want to encourage you to find your heart’s desire. Even if you have to ask another person what that is. Spend time learning and practicing and enjoying that.

Billie is an active member of these artist communities:

Virginia Watercolor Society

virginiawatercolorsociety.org/member-roster-and-websites/

Waynesboro Art Center

svacart.com/meet-our-artists

Crossroads Art Center

https://www.crossroadsartcenter.com/collections/billie-rosenberger

Arts Council of the Valley

Artist Members — Arts Council of the Valley (valleyarts.org)